XM655

[Mayfly]

Hi all.

We will finish off preping XM655 tomorrow and tow her down to runway 05 ready for Saturday.
Dave,Mike and Phil will then start her up and go for a short taxi around lunchtime (Saturday)to check all is well.
If the crew are happy we will put 655 to bed and prepare the market side of the airfield for Sunday.
Hope to see you all there.

not until I ve been round the market..

[Saracenman]

now we know who's REALLY in command of the 'sortie' don't we!

i just hope that DT's firmly strapped in with his wallet still in his pocket!

[Wedgy]

Well, it wasn't obvious to me

"a short taxi around lunchtime " implied you had something to do with it SM

[Mayfly]

don't think so Wedgy, she has to stay on the hardstanding - no short cuts across the grass allowed..

[Crew chief]

Hi all.
Today we recieved a letter from Rolls Royce stating their concern with engine corrsion on the olympus engines fitted to all operating Vulcans.The letter was also sent our local authority who paid us a visit today.The local authority is naturally concernded about a possiable engine failure during a taxi run and we are working with them to try and resolve the matter.Therefore XM655 MAY not be running on Sunday.If 655 does not run the aircraft will be on static display with system check's being carried out during the day.As you can imagine we at Maps are very disappointed but SAFTEY HAS TO COME FIRST.

[Wedgy]

Understood .....
....still though

[Mackrick]

Sounds like RR playing on the safe side following 558''s engine corrosion. Hope this gets resolved for everyone's sake.

[Coastergirl]

That's dreadful news. Poor MAPS.

Well we'll still be going along anyway, there's plenty to see and its always nice to support the guys. Also nice to catch up with friends. Hope to still see you all there.

Rach x

[Saracenman]

bloody shame if you can't run her

we'll be there anyway

sm

[Wedgy]

Are you STILL working with the Local Authority CC? Is there a cut off point where it will be a 100% no goer?

[Crew chief]

Hi all.

Thanks for your support it is indeed needed right now.We will make a decision tommorrow but we will try and make it happen if we can.

Reagrds.

CC

[Mayfly]

Mark thats dreadful news, I'm so sorry ....will give you hug tomorrow

[Saracenman]

might this be the right time to call in a well-earned favour from VTS? 655 is important to 558 after all, and I'm sure some additional professional 'words of wisdom' to the local council wouldn't go amiss

sm

[Bovril]

no training aircraft , but we all want to do our very best to keep her roaring

[Wedgy]

will give you hug tomorrow

He doesn't need a hug - he needs a crate of beer

might this be the right time to call in a well-earned favour from VTS? 655 is important to 558 after all, and I'm sure some additional professional 'words of wisdom' to the local council wouldn't go amiss
sm

Big prod and a wink required in the direction of VTS!

[Crew chief]

will give you hug tomorrow

He doesn't need a hug - he needs a crate of beer

might this be the right time to call in a well-earned favour from VTS? 655 is important to 558 after all, and I'm sure some additional professional 'words of wisdom' to the local council wouldn't go amiss
sm

Big prod and a wink required in the direction of VTS!

Several would do just fine right now.

[Mayfly]

will give you hug tomorrow

He doesn't need a hug - he needs a crate of beer

might this be the right time to call in a well-earned favour from VTS? 655 is important to 558 after all, and I'm sure some additional professional 'words of wisdom' to the local council wouldn't go amiss
sm

Big prod and a wink required in the direction of VTS!

I'll have you know my hugs are very therapeutic & DT will buy him the beer

[Coastergirl]

Well I'm not sure what the best therapy is - so how about I chip in with half a crate of beer and half a hug?

...and a big supportive smile.

[Gully]

What a nightmare! Really sorry to hear that. Timing couldn't have been worse. Hopefully, just a matter of clarifying your risk assessments with the Local Authority events people, but boy is that going to be tough in the time available before Sunday.

Seems strange that RR would single out the Olympus. Okay, the issues with '558 are fresh in their minds, but there are "old" RR engines in taxiable aircraft all over the country - the CWJ collection and LPG for a start. No doubt they all have elements of corrosion given their age and storage conditions.

The knock-on implications of this are enormous.

Hopefully, RR and your particular LA are just being over-cautious and you can get it resolved, otherwise an awful precedent could be set, let alone the implications for MaPS 655.

Good luck and look forward to seeing you on Sunday,

Gully

[Wedgy]

Hopefully, RR and your particular LA are just being over-cautious and you can get it resolved, otherwise an awful precedent could be set, let alone the implications for MaPS 655.

Lets hope so!
I put on my lucky pants this morning
Hope all goes well

[Saracenman]

I've just watched MaPS' "XM655 at Wellesbourne" DVD, which i bought on Sunday

absolutely BRILLIANT! having watched various Vulcan videos over the years, i have to say that this is THE most comprehensive yet; after an interesting interview with DT, Mike Pollitt and Andy Marson, the aircrew then give a fascinating and detailed description of the Vulcan, whilst walking from the front to the rear of 655

after a detailed view of the cockpit, all the instruments and systems, LOTS of footage of taxying!

for those who've not seen it, i THOROUGHLY recommend buying a copy

sm

[Ramshornvortex]

for those who've not seen it, i THOROUGHLY recommend buying a copy

It's available for a mere £15 (or £13 to Members) plus £1.95 P&P via our website http://www.xm655.com/merchandise.php

Hurry now while stocks last

[Wedgy]

for those who've not seen it, i THOROUGHLY recommend buying a copy

It's available for a mere £15 (or £13 to Members) plus £1.95 P&P via our website http://www.xm655.com/merchandise.php

Hurry now while stocks last

And worth every penny!!!

I watched it yesterday and to say I was impressed ... is an understatement. The guided tour of 655 inside and out was a real treat and the DVD is produced to a high standard.
Must admit I got a lump in my throat seeing the delivery footage

Overall, the DVD conveyed the exact atmosphere of Wings and Wheels '09 ...... welcoming and friendly

I WILL be buying my own copy

[Gully]

Thank you MaPS655 for providing '558 with a door jack bracket today to replace a bent one!

Fingers crossed for the Satuday displays!

Gully

[Jigsaw]

Ditto